Save A luxurious pasta dish featuring creamy baked Brie, sweet-tart cranberries, and toasted walnuts for a festive twist on comfort food.
This dish always impresses my guests and brings warmth to any dinner table.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) short pasta (such as penne or fusilli), 1 tbsp olive oil, Salt for pasta water
- Cheese & Cranberry: 200 g (7 oz) Brie cheese rind removed and cut into cubes, 100 g (3.5 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries, 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan option), 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves plus extra for garnish, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Nuts & Garnish: 50 g (1/3 cup) walnuts roughly chopped, 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, Zest of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Cook Pasta:
- Cook the pasta in generously salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Prepare Brie Mixture:
- While the pasta cooks place the Brie cubes in a small baking dish. Scatter cranberries on top drizzle with honey sprinkle with thyme and black pepper.
- Bake:
- Bake for 12 15 minutes until the Brie is melted and bubbling and cranberries are soft.
- Toast Walnuts:
- Meanwhile toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 3 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
- Combine:
- Place the drained pasta in a large bowl. Pour the baked Brie and cranberry mixture over the pasta add a splash of reserved pasta water and toss gently until coated and creamy.
- Add Garnishes:
- Stir in half the toasted walnuts and parsley.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately garnished with remaining walnuts parsley and orange zest if desired.
Save My family loves gathering around the table sharing this cozy and festive meal during holidays.
Notes
For extra flavor add a handful of baby spinach or arugula when tossing the pasta. Substitute dried cranberries if fresh or frozen are unavailable reduce honey to 1 tbsp. For a vegan version use vegan Brie-style cheese and maple syrup.
Required Tools
Large pot Baking dish Skillet Mixing bowl Zester (optional)
Allergen Information
Contains milk (Brie cheese) nuts (walnuts) and gluten (pasta). For gluten-free use certified gluten-free pasta. Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
Save This baked Brie and cranberry pasta is a perfect blend of rich and tart ideal for any occasion.
Recipe Guide
- → Can I use a different cheese instead of Brie?
Yes, soft cheeses like Camembert or a mild goat cheese can provide a similar creamy texture and mild flavor if Brie is unavailable.
- → How do I prevent the walnuts from burning when toasting?
Toast walnuts over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned to avoid burning.
- → Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the baked Brie and cranberry mixture in advance and assemble just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
- → What pasta shapes work best with this dish?
Short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli work well, as they hold sauce and chunky ingredients effectively.
- → Is there a vegan alternative for this dish?
Replace Brie with a vegan soft cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey to suit vegan dietary preferences.
- → How can I add more greens to this meal?
Stir in fresh baby spinach or arugula when tossing the pasta for added color, flavor, and nutrition.